Justice News

Woman Sentenced to Two and Half Years Imprisonment for Theft and Embezzlement from Philadelphia Non-Profit Serving Children

Sonja McQuillar, 50 of New Castle, Delaware was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for embezzling from Northern Children’s Services, where she was employed. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court ordered 3 years of supervised release, a$300 special assessment, and $607,067 restitution.

McQuillar was the Director of Health and Information at Northern Children’s Services (NCS) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NCS is a nonprofit organization that provides mental and behavioral treatment services to children. As Director of Health and Information, one of McQuillar’s responsibilities was to verify the accuracy of consultants’ invoices and submit them for payment. From December 2002 and April 2014, McQuillar embezzled approximately $607,067 from NCS by creating consulting invoices for relatives and friends who were never consultants for NCS, and for individuals who were consultants for NCS, but for work they did not perform. After creating bogus invoices, McQuillar then forged the signatures of the alleged consultants in order to cash the checks.

McQuillar embezzled more than $600,000 from a non-profit organization that existed to benefit our most vulnerable youth,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Louis D. Lappen. “In doing so, the defendant deprived these children of much needed public funds that were designed to help them overcome trauma and behavioral disorders. We will continue to investigate and prosecute those who, for their own personal benefit, abuse the trust of public and private organizations

"This case is an example of the most damaging kind of theft. The defendant stole taxpayer dollars that were meant to support at-risk children. We will not tolerate this kind of self-serving act against vulnerable members of our population," said Inspector General Amy Kurland. "I thank our federal law enforcement partners for their close cooperation in this investigation and assure the public that we will continue working diligently to maintain integrity in our City."

The case was initiated by a tip to the Philadelphia Office of the Inspector General and was also investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Morgan.